A decision on whether to launch a ground invasion of Gaza was put off by at least a day, after Israel decided Monday to give the Egyptians more time to try to broker a cease-fire with Hamas, a senior Israeli official said.

The head of Hamas' political bureau and Islamic Jihad secretary-general met with Egyptian intelligence chief Gen. Raafat Shehata again on Tuesday, in an attempt to finalize details of a cease-fire agreement. Hamas officials said late Tuesday that a cease-fire would go into effect by midnight, but both Egypt and Israel downplayed those reports, saying no agreement had yet been reached.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Israel on Tuesday afternoon and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was expecyed later in the day. Both officials will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday.

More than 140 rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip toward southern Israel on Tuesday. The Palestinians reported that five people were killed in the Strip on Tuesday morning, and put the total death toll in Gaza at 130, including 31 children. Five Israelis have been killed since the conflict began.

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11:42 P.M. UN Security Council to meet for consultations on the Middle East at 6 P.M. EST (Natasha Mozgovaya)

11:12 P.M. Clinton: I am very pleased that the Iron Dome defense has been performing so well. The joint project shows the United States' enduring commitment to the safety and security of Israel's people and for Israel's right to defends itself (Haaretz)

11:10 P.M. Hillary Clinton: It is essential to deescalate the situation in Gaza (Haaretz)

11:01 P.M. Jordan's King Abdullah warns Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of ground operation. "The halting of the [military] escalation in all its forms what will open the way for diplomatic efforts and calm." Prior to his talk with the premier, Abdullah spoke with Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, asking him to increase his efforts to achieve a cease-fire (Barak Ravid)

11:00 P.M. IDF says its assault on Gaza over last few hours hit a bank serving Hamas, a terror site in southern Gaza, a Hamas command center in northern Gaza, a Hamas safe house and meeting point as well as a system of tunnels used to smuggle in fuel for Hamas activities, four weapons storage facilities and two weapons factories.

6:55 P.M. Deputy U.S. National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes: "President Obama underscored once again the importance of working for a de-escalation to the conflict in Gaza. He commended President Morsi’s efforts to pursue a de-escalation. And he also underscored that President Morsi’s efforts reinforce the important role that President Morsi and Egypt play on behalf of regional security and the pursuit of broader peace between the Palestinians and Israelis."

5:45 P.M. Masked gunmen publicly execute six suspected collaborators with Israel at a busy Gaza City intersection, according to witnesses. Hamas military wing claims responsibility. Witnesses say the six men were pulled out of a van, forced to lie face down on the street and then shot dead. Five bodies lay in a pile as a mob stomped and spit on them. A sixth body was tied to a motorcycle and dragged through the streets as people screamed, "Spy! Spy!" Hamas posted a sign on an electricity pole, naming the six alleged informers. (AP)

5:45 P.M. Deputy U.S. National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes: "We believe that it's very important that the Palestinian Authority continues to be a part of these discussions. They have legitimacy to be a part of these discussions, and they are clearly going to play a role in the future of the Palestinian people - and a leading role" (Natasha Mozgovaya)

5: 43 P.M. UN Secretary General Ban: "A further escalation will be dangerous and will put the entire region at risk. I call everybody to restore calm. Rocket fire from Gaza on Israel is unacceptable and must stop immediately. Israel should show maximum restraint. I warn against a ground operation. We should protect civilians at all times" (Barak Ravid)

5:24 P.M. Senior Israeli officials with knowledge of ongoing talks geared at reaching a cease-fire with Hamas will go into effect by Tuesday evening, adding that they hoped that the deal's last points will be finalized in a meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, due to take place at 10 P.M.

The officials added that the deal would not be a written agreement, and that no papers will be signed. "There will be understandings that will center on the cessation of Gaza rocket fire and the end of IAF strikes," the officials said, adding that "discussions with the Egyptians on other issues like border crossings and arms smuggling will take place down the line" (Barak Ravid) (Barak Ravid)

5:05 P.M. Egyptian sources to Haaretz: Cease-fire signing to take place in Cairo on Wednesday, to be participated by UN chief Ban Ki-moon (Jack Khoury)

4:44 Gaza residents reported that IDF craft have been dispersing leaflets, warning them to leave their homes and concentrate in the center of Gaza City. According to the reports, the leaflets specifically warn the residents of the following Gaza neighborhoods: Sheikh Ijlin, Tel al-Hawa, south Rimal, Zeitoun, Shuja'iyya, Turkeman, new Shuja'iyya, and the outskirts of A- Shati.

The document was also published on Facebook, causing some residents to doubt the veracity of the message. However, the IDF Spokesman confirmed the contents of the paper, reiterating that the residents of those parts of Gaza City were indeed urged to leave their homes (Amira Hass)

4:40 P.M. Six rockets fall in open areas in western Negev; no injuries reported.

4:30 P.M. Five Israelis lightly wounded by rocket in western Negev.

4:13 P.M. Two rockets land in city of Ashdod, one explodes near a storefront.

3:54 P.M. IDF carries out third air strike in last 90 minutes, hits terror cell launching anti-tank missiles in the Dahaniya airport, wounding Hamas operative in another area in Gaza.

3:50 P.M. Some 100 Palestinians clashing with IDF soldiers near the place where the Gaza rocket exploded in Gush Etzion.

3:27 P.M. Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi said on Tuesday that "Israeli aggression" against Gaza would end later in the day, the Egyptian state news agency MENA reported.

"President Mohammed Morsi announced that the farce of Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip will end on Tuesday," MENA said, quoting public remarks made by the country's head of state after the funeral of his sister.

"The efforts to conclude a truce between the Palestinian and Israeli sides will produce positive results in the next few hours," he was quoted as saying. Egypt has been trying to mediate a truce to end the conflict. (Reuters)

3:27 P.M. Two Israelis were lightly wounded after a rocket exploded in Eshkol Regional Council. Another rocket landed in an open area.

3:10 P.M. Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby arrived in Rafah crossing along with 10 Arab foreign ministers in order to display "support for the Palestinian people."

2:51 P.M. According to the IDF, Israel attacked 11 terror cells in Gaza. At least five people were killed during the strikes.

2:14 P.M. Rocket alert sounds in Jerusalem; two rockets explode in open areas near Gush Etzion, south of Jerusalem. No casualties reported. Hamas takes responsibility for the rocket fire.

1:41 P.M. Hamas' Al-Aqsa TV station broadcast a tape of Mohammed Deif, who is considered Hamas' military commander, and who was seriously wounded several years ago in an attempted assassination by Israel. "The resistance confused the enemy, and if they embark on a ground operation, that would be a step toward releasing all the prisoners," he said, hinting at the abduction of soldiers.

1:23 P.M. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday in a meeting with the German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle that Israel demands that the cease-fire include a "long-range agreement that would ensure that no more rockets will be fired into Gaza." Netanyahu said he prefers a diplomatic solution, but if that is not attained, "Israel has the right to defend itself by other means."

1:17 P.M. Rocket hits house in Netivot, causes damage but no casualties. Four rockets land in Sderot, one near a house. Another rocket explodes in open area in Hof Ashkelon Regional Council.

12:30 P.M. Lebanon's Hezbollah urges Arab states to send weapons to Hamas to fight Israel. Hassan Nasrallah said in a televised speech that Arab leaders should deliver "more missiles to the Palestinian resistance in Gaza" to counter Israel's offensive.

12:22 P.M. Rocket explodes near house in Sderot. No reported causalties.

12:17 P.M. Armor officer in the IDF reserves was moderately wounded from shrapnel after a rocket exploded in Eshkol Regional Council. He was evacuated to the Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer.

9:32 A.M. IDF attacked two terror cells that were about to launch rockets into Israel overnight. IDF says rocket barrage likely renewed Tuesday morning due to the IDF strike on a Gaza bank and attack on several homes of Hamas leaders.

9:00 A.M. Iron Dome intercepts three rockets above Be'er Sheva.

8:50 A.M. Hamas politburo chief Khaled Meshal and Islamic Jihad chief Ramadan Abdullah Shalah due to meet Tuesday morning with Egyptian intelligence chief Raafat Shehata in an effort to lay out the final details of a cease-fire agreement. Should the two okay the wording of the deal, which was transferred to Egypt from Israel, a cease-fire would be declared. According to Egyptian sources, the agreement would be carried out in two stages: first, a general cease-fire would be implemented, and second, a discussion would be held on opening crossings to Gaza and lifting the blockade.

8:30 A.M. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to make surprise visit to Israel on Tuesday in order to advance cease-fire efforts. Clinton due to meet with Netanyahu on Wednesday, as well as with Peres, Barak, and Lieberman. UN chief Ban Ki-moon will visit Israel on Tuesday as well. Clinton will meet Palestinian Authority officials, but will not meet with Hamas leaders.

8:28 A.M. IAF strikes headquarters of Gaza Strip bank. The inside of the bank was destroyed, and a building supply business in the basement was damaged. Hamas set up the bank after foreign lenders, afraid of running afoul of international terror financing laws, stopped doing business with the Gaza government. (AP)

8:02 A.M. Volley of rockets fired from Gaza toward Be'er Sheva, Ofakim and other communities near the Gaza Strip.

16 rockets fired toward Be'er Sheva, three land inside the city. One hit a road and caused damage to a bus, which was parked after its passengers got off due to the siren. Another missile hit a house, causing damage to the building. A third rocket hit a parked car. No casualties reported. Iron Dome intercepts 9 out of 16 rockets fired at Be'er Sheva.

4:42 A.M. President Shimon Peres, in an interview to CNN broadcast Monday evening EST, called on critics of the Israeli operation in Gaza to suggest an alternative. "Whoever criticizes us should suggest an alternative – we started with great restraint. In the last six days 1,200 missiles fall on our civilians lives, on mothers, on children. We tried to do it with restraint, but apparently they hide themselves in private homes, even in mosques, and we are trying to do our best not to hit any civilian on the other side, but unfortunately a war is a war and they can stop it in one minute if they’ll stop shooting, there won’t be any causalities."

Peres also said he is disappointed with the Palestinian President's insistence to continue with the UN request for a non-member status: they could give Israel time to solve the crisis in Gaza, while unilateral move will only hurt Abbas.

Peres also spoke to The Israel Project, pro-Israel advocacy organization: "I do not believe that the reasons underlying this operation are political or related to the elections," he said. "No politician in Israel would endanger our children for votes." (Natsha Mozgovaya)

2:18 A.M. CNN reports that the U.S. is sending three warships to the Eastern Mediterranean to be ready to assist in the evacuation of American citizens from Israel. A U.S. official quoted in the report stated that the ships are being sent as part of preparations by the U.S. for all possible outcomes related to Operation Pillar of Defense and do not reflect the actual likelihood of U.S. citizens being evacuated.

10:59 P.M. Netanyahu rejects French-Qatari cease-fire initiatives. PM tells French foreign minister that Israel is not interested in French or Qatari mediation and prefers to avoid any moves that might interfere with the Egyptian mediation.

10:48 P.M. Christians United for Israel, the United States’ largest pro-Israel organization, has launched a campaign to ban Hamas from Twitter. In a letter to Twitter, the group writes: "By allowing Hamas to have a Twitter account, you are providing it with an important 'service' and extremely effective 'communications equipment' which are central to its primary mission of terrorizing the Israeli people and using civilian deaths to score political points."

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.